Michelle Walker, Director of Michelle Walker Architects promotes the concept of smart home design, offering contemporary solutions for new and existing homes across Sydney.

Michelle understands the importance of the home and how it can enhance the day-to-day life of a family. She pursues her passion for architecture by designing beautiful and practical homes for other families.

Michelle completed an honours degree in architecture at the University of Sydney and started her professional career as a graduate architect with Alex Tzannes and Associates where she worked on a number of high calibre projects including the Adaptive Re-Use of Fort Denison and the Michael Mobbs Sustainable House. She attributes her personal development as an architect to the calibre of work and mentoring received at the firm.

Following a further period working in London, in 1999 Michelle registered with the NSW Board of Architects before taking on a Development Manager role with Mirvac in its Development Division - NSW Projects. At Mirvac Michelle worked on the Walsh Bay Redevelopment, a joint venture between Mirvac and Transfield.

Michelle returned to architecture in 2005, taking on the role of a project architect in a residential architecture firm in Manly. She followed this up with setting up her own architecture practice in 2007.

A boutique practice with a focus on residential architecture, creating architecture interiors and outdoor spaces that enhance new and existing homes, Michelle Walker Architects is based at a collaborative architects’ office in Balgowlah in Sydney's Northern Beaches. Michelle has taken on a variety of projects including renovations, extensions and new builds in Sydney's Northern Beaches, Eastern Suburbs and North Shore.

Some of her significant projects include the Butterfly House in Paddington, which was a finalist in the 2013 Dulux Colour Awards and a winner in the 2013 Best of Houzz awards, The Roseville Pavilion and the recent renovation of her own home on the Northern Beaches.

Michelle Walker Architects has also entered the multi-residential market with the completion of a Fairlight house converted into apartments and an addition to an existing apartment block in Queenscliff on the drawing board.

In an industry where nationally only 20 per cent of all registered architects are female, Michelle is driven to forge her way as a female architect while enjoying working with other women architects as well as clients who are also professional women with families.

She concludes by saying that a good client relationship and collaborative approach are key to creating home spaces that feel right.